Decisions and a Few New Finds....

Hi Everyone!  It seems these last couple of weeks have just flown by.  I have tried several times to sit down and write a post, but I couldn't find my "voice" to write.  Have you ever had that problem?  I have finally started working on a few projects and have a couple of big projects planned around my house (it's only taken me 10 years).  And I've been trying to make some decisions regarding my business like which fairs to attend, how many and when the best time to schedule open houses at the studio and whether or not to put items on consignment at a local shop (just to name a few things) plus I took some time for myself.  I love to read but go in spurts, reading non stop and then not being able to concentrate.  This last week as been one of the those non stop readathons.  Since Friday, I have read six complete books and have started number 7.

But I believe I am finding my "voice" again and am ready to get back to work.  So I thought I'd begin by showing you a couple of new finds.  I'd say recent, but I picked these up the weekend of my studio Open House and just haven't shared them with you yet.

 My Uncle Bill brought me a stack of windows that he saved from going to the landfill.  Thanks Uncle Bill!

My dear, sweet friend Lynett brought me a bunch of items she'd picked up for me.  Isn't this beefy headboard and foot board great!

 I love this headboard with it's classic shape and can't wait to turn it into a bench...maybe one with storage.

 Lynett also brought me this Jenny Lind high chair.  It's in great shape!  I can't wait to paint this one and put it in my studio.

 And then there was this baby.  It was a little pricey and needs some work, but I couldn't resist it.  It's missing some trim pieces, but I think I can recreate them.

I believe it had been a stereo cabinet that you had to open the doors to expose the speakers.  I can't wait to work on this!  I'm planning on replacing the top because it is warped and I don't believe it is original to this piece based on the hinge marks on the base that are not on the top.  Then I think I'll add another shelf to the space on the left so it can be used as a buffet or TV stand.  But all of these will have to wait for a while.  As I'm getting ready to begin work on a remodel in my bathroom, more on that later.  Have you found any great items lately?  Thanks for stopping by.

An old window remake....

Hi Everyone!  I hope you are having a great weekend.  The weather has been great the last few days...thank goodness.  So I've been able to be out in the shop working.  I have almost a month to go before my first craft fair so I've been busy trying to get ready for it.  I've also had several custom orders which I'll show you later this week.  Tonight I thought I'd show you what I did to one of the windows that my Uncle Bill rescued from a dumpster for me which you can see here.

 Here are two of the four windows that Uncle Bill gave me.  I took the one on the left and spent about and hour and a half cleaning it up on both sides.  It was dirty and grimy and gross.  But I got it clean.

 I taped the edge off with frog tape.  And then sprayed the back with Krylon's Looking Glass Mirror-Like Paint.  I just love this stuff but it's expensive for a 6oz can.

 Once it dried, I painted over it with black flat spray paint to protect the mirror finish.

 I applied some dark wax to the front of the window/mirror to give it an aged look.

 I thought the window/mirror needed something so I made this wreath to hang on it out of a pip berry garland that I had on hand.  It has barn red hearts and rusty keys attached to the garland.  The tag says love is the key.  I thought it was the right size for the window/mirror.

And here it is hanging on the front of the window now turned into a mirror.  I need to hang it on the wall in my studio but I didn't want to wait to show it to you.  I like how it turned out.  What would you have done with this window?  I have three more of them.....

The weather tomorrow is suppose to be good and I have a long list of things to accomplish out in the shop.  Thanks for stopping by.

Linking to:
http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/2012/08/catch-as-catch-can-85.html 
http://www.504main.com/2012/08/tickled-pink-no-111.html 
http://www.mysimplehomelife.com/2012/08/features-simply-creations-link-party-70.html 
http://alderberryhill.blogspot.com/2012/08/make-scene-monday-36_19.html 
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/02/sns-175-what-to-do-with-old-windows.html 

Presents from Uncle Bill...

Hi Everyone!  I was at my parents, checking on my dad.  He's had a rough week after surgery.  I think he's finally rounded the corner and is doing better.  And when I got home, I found a present leaning up against the shop.  Look what my Uncle Bill left for me.....

 They are dirty and chippy and still have the hardware intact.

 I have wanted a few windows with more than four panes...

 ....and now I have four of them.....

Thanks Uncle Bill for the presents!

I just can't wait for a little cooler weather so I can get back out to the shop and get started working on these and all the other projects I have going.  I need to see about getting some air conditioning out there so I can work when I can instead of when the weather allows.  Because I am a wimp when it comes to heat.  I always have been.  As a little girl I used to pass out when I got too hot or I'd get nose bleeds when I was overheated and they wouldn't stop.  So I'm extra careful in the heat.  I can't wait for next week.  I have Tuesday off and since the 4th of July is Wednesday, I have that off too.  Two day off in a row...that doesn't happen very often for me.  But it's going to be hot.  I've been making my list of projects so I know exactly what I'm going to work on.  But first I figure out the air conditioning situation.  Have a great weekend everyone!  Thanks for stopping by.

What a pile....

....of windows that is.  Hi Everyone!  I hope your week is off to a great start.  I wanted to share with you the windows I got this morning.  Most of them do not have glass in them which is okay with me.  I have ideas for those.  And the four on the bottom of the pile have their glass.

 I had to put three of them (not in this pile) in the dumpster because they were so far beyond repair.  They all need to be cleaned up because they've been stored in an old barn for YEARS! 

These two are my favorites.  Don't you just love the size of them.  The tall one is a little more than 5 feet tall and it really was a window.  It still has the points in it that held the glass.  And there weren't any hinges or holes for hinges...I checked.  I can't wait to work on these.  I have a few ideas but I'm curious to hear what you would do with them?  Thanks for stopping by.